August 12, 2013
The Horn Times Newsletter 12 August 2013
by Getahune Bekele-South Africa
“We
have to work in unison to end the brutal repression currently blighting
Ethiopia. Join Ginbot-7 now. Embrace Ginbot-7; join the political party
of the people. All peace loving Ethiopians, join us in our struggle to
bring about a nascent democracy our country deserves.”- Dr Birhanu
Nega.
“I
compare the current Ethiopian rulers with the fascist Italian invaders
who wanted the fertile land of Ethiopia without her people. When today’s
rulers commit genocide in Gambella, Oromyya and Amhara areas they are
re-visiting the horrific crimes of Benito Mussolini on our people.”- Aba
Haileeyesus.
“The recent mass killing of Ethiopian Muslims and
the continued assault on our religion is nothing but a crime against
humanity. Where is justice? Where is justice…”- Sheik imam Khalid Omar.
To
the genocidal Ethiopian evil junta that violated every norm of how a
national government should behave or conduct itself, the message was
loud and clear. Hoist the white flag and surrender now before the
inevitable institutional collapse takes place. In a country, that has
known only autocracy and tyranny, the cry for change is ringing. A time
of unprecedented stress for the criminal warlords.
Moreover, if
last night’s (August 11) eventful meeting of Ethiopians is anything to
go by, the divide and rule classic junta’s 22-year effort of trying to
create a major ethnic and sectarian fault lines between the people has
dismally failed. In addition, Ethiopia will never become a byword for
ethnic hatred and political intrigue as the dead tyrant Meles Zenawi
once fervently wished; or a nefarious desire his peers often said he
harbored for more than three decades.
The Meeting was simply a
massive endorsement for Dr Birhanu Nega personally, the man who was
arrested for winning the 2005 elections and casted off to exile by force
of arms. Homesick refugees described his party Ginbot-7 as a party of
epic patriots and intrepid soldiers of the revolution.
At 9:30 pm,
when he appeared on the big screen at the sun coast casino conference
room and conveyed greetings, the enthusiastic crowd reciprocated by
giving him a four-minute standing ovation.
“Am overwhelmed by
emotions to see the future leader of my country whom I voted for in
2005.” A sobbing woman who declined to give her name told the Horn Times
reporter.
Dr Birhanu, a distinguished orator who strongly
condemned the Eid day slaughter of Ethiopian Muslims by the junta’s
Trojan horses, said in his twenty-five minute speech that it is up to
the people of Ethiopia to close the bitter chapters of 22 years of
history steeped in blood and usher in a new one.
His call on the
participants and all other Ethiopian exiles to join G-7 was again well
received with thunders applause. The Horn Times watched in astonishment
as young men immediately starting to fill up forms and distribute
leaflets to newcomers.
“Am tired of turning the other chick. The
body count is mounting while we amble about undecided which party to
join. For me Ginbot-7 is the way to go.” Deriba Habebe, 41, said with
excitement and sheer joy.
Next, to speak was Aba Haileeyesus of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Johannesburg under the Holy Synod in exile.
The
venerated monk reminded Ethiopians that how the violent persecution by
the Italian invaders (1936-1941) refined and purified the Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahido Church known for its unique theology, traditions and
customs; with martyrs like his Holiness Abune Petros paying the ultimate
price. According to him, the ongoing persecution of the ancient faith
by the minority junta is the second and the most brutal one.
“The
Italians tried to encourage sectarian violence but failed. Instead of
fighting against each other Ethiopian Muslims and Christians formed a
united front and defeated the Italians as one people. The Italians,
after toiling in barren and parched deserts of Libya and Punt land, said
they wanted the fertile land of Ethiopia without the population. What
we see today is the direct copy of that criminal practice. In Gambella,
the land is needed but not the people. Amharas must be deported because
the rulers want the land not the people.”
At the end of his
touching and meticulous teaching, the monk urged unity and expressed his
deep sadness to the Muslim community of Ethiopia for the loss of lives
they suffered during and after the holy month of Ramadan.
Thanking
Aba Haileeyesus, the well-known Muslim scholar who is also living in
exile, sheik imam Khalid Omar told the refugees that in the nearly two
years of bitter but peaceful struggle for religious freedom, Ethiopian
Muslims have suffered very heavy causalities but bullets will never
brake the vivid spirit of the people.
The peaceful resistance will continue until the regime stops its unconstitutional interference in religious affairs.
Finally, the meeting ended by dissident artist/activist Tamagne Beyene’s wise words that lit up the screen.
“It
is becoming increasingly difficult for the opposition to have a
dialogue with such arrogant and an implacable regime. Unite and rise up
for change.”
The
news Ethiopian Satellite Television Network (ESAT) called for a town
hall meeting of all Ethiopian political parties, civic society and
activist to discuses the pressing issues of our people is another
breakthrough that call for celebration. Personally, I am ecstatic. The
long awaited public meeting in the history of our people finally going
to happen. Now Ethiopians can seriously begin addressing the problems of
our people once-and-for-all. It is like being ‘born again’; not to run
away from our past as many of our contemporaries do but, to take
personal responsibility for our bad behaviors.
